Which caliber do you favor?

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10-Ring

December 29, 2002, 10:53 PM

As a subscriber of the "big bullet, big hole" school of thinking, my answer goes to the 45 acp & my HK USP 45 as its launching platform.

blades67

December 29, 2002, 10:55 PM

Whatever I could get my hands on.

Wakal

December 29, 2002, 10:56 PM

While I carry a .45 (and that would be my choice, first rattle out of the box), I had one of those "D'oh" moments while chrono'ing my wife's Open gun a month or so ago.

9 by 23 runs every time, and slings a 115gr jacketed hollowpoint at 1,300 fps. Rather close to .357 mag performance in a 18-round flush-fit mag...hmmm...I may need to build a new carry gun.

Alex

Rival

December 29, 2002, 11:01 PM

looks like all the wheelgun folks are sleeping...

hmmm... I might see the proportion of semi-auto to revolver shooters on this forum ;)

Nosferatu

December 29, 2002, 11:06 PM

I like them heavy and fast...10mm!

Schuey2002

December 29, 2002, 11:38 PM

Which caliber?

40

However, 9mm is my personal favorite when it comes to handgun cartridges.
Simply because I have more guns chambered in that cartridge.
:D

91101

December 29, 2002, 11:49 PM

I've always been a 357 fan (.40 for autos) untill I picked up my first 10mm about six weeks ago...now I've got 2 10mm' autos and may buy a S&W 610 wheel gun.

Michael

emann

December 30, 2002, 12:00 AM

Gee I must be blind. I don't see .357 Sig listed anywhere. Oh well, give me the magnum then I guess. :eek:

Blackhawk

December 30, 2002, 12:45 AM

9x19 right now.

Ask me again in a couple of months.... :D

Mike Irwin

December 30, 2002, 01:08 AM

Easy.

.357 Magnum. EXTREME versatility, and available in guns from small to large.

standingbear

December 30, 2002, 01:18 AM

44 magnum.good for any critter around here.

sm

December 30, 2002, 01:31 AM

45 ACP
But...only one on list I don't care for
arrgg decisons

PATH

December 30, 2002, 03:46 AM

I guess if I had to choose it would be .45.

Kahr carrier

December 30, 2002, 05:41 AM

357-Just because the number of guns you can find in this caliber. :)

Okiecruffler

December 30, 2002, 05:58 AM

If'in I cain't get it done with my .357 it ain't gonna get done.

ruger357

December 30, 2002, 06:38 AM

It would have to be the .45 acp.

sixgun

December 30, 2002, 07:23 AM

I would have to go with .45ACP been around a long time tried and true .45 LC in my six shooter:) Jim

Spoonman

December 30, 2002, 07:39 AM

If I had to fight w/ a handgun, it would be a .45. That being said, I chose .357 mag in the poll because I have so many .357 revolvers and family members who shoot them well.

2dogs

December 30, 2002, 07:49 AM

.357 magnum because I have 3 of them, and no .45.:)

telewinz

December 30, 2002, 08:06 AM

.44 magnum, with the L.A.R. Grizzly I can handload light .44 Specials or full .44 Mag loads and it functions perfect. Felt recoil is much less than in my 629.

Bottom Gun

December 30, 2002, 09:09 AM

For general carry, the .45 ACP is hard to beat. For hunting, the .44 mag.

RustyHammer

December 30, 2002, 09:25 AM

.... .357 Mag (revolver/rifle combo), else, .44 Mag in same combo.

Kevinch

December 30, 2002, 09:35 AM

Although an ardent .45ACP fan, my choice for a 1 only cartridge had to go to the .357MAG.

Great PD round, also good enough for up to deer sized game at a respectable distance (although I think that is pushing it), a lot of solid platforms to launch the round, carbine rifles are available chambered for it, easy enough to control - I could probably go on.

It the .41MAG were available in as many loadings & platforms, I would have chosen it instead.

popbang

December 30, 2002, 10:05 AM

Voteed for 44 Magnum, but the one I like the best is the 45 Colt.

Bainx

December 30, 2002, 10:40 AM

45 acp. Why put a little hole in the goblin when you can put a big hole in the goblin?

Missouri Mule

December 30, 2002, 02:10 PM

Depends...... but, my favorite is and probably always be 45 acp!

NEon

December 30, 2002, 02:56 PM

That would be the 45 ACP, after that the 357 Mag. Opps, you didn't ask about after that!:D

chaim

December 30, 2002, 03:46 PM

If the question was one chambering or one gun I'd go .357mag. It is an incredibly powerful caliber and has the versatility of several levels of loadings in .357mag and the ability to shoot the full gamut of .38spl loadings (from really cheap practice rounds to good +P personal defense fodder).

9mm would be the runner up. It's highly versatile- cheap practice rounds, good defensive rounds, highly powerful +Ps. However, I like revolvers better and the .357mag is more powerful and the only disadvantage is the cheap .38s are a little more than the cheap 9mms.

However, the question is one caliber not one chambering. Given that I'd go 9mm. A .38 would be a close second (cheap practice ammo, good defensive .38spls and very good +Ps) but 9mm is a little more powerful and the cheap stuff is cheaper.

If money wasn't an issue (all cost the same or if I was filthy rich) it would be hard to decide between 9mm and .45acp (9mm with good defensive ammo is nearly up to .45acp standards but a .45acp is the standard for a semi-auto round). I guess it would come down to the platform (my CZ 75 which is my favorite semi or my 1911 which sometimes beats out the CZ for being my favorite).

ms1200

December 30, 2002, 03:59 PM

one caliber for anything that might come up.
i would take a .44 magnum.
download it for defense & load it hot for hunting.

COK

December 30, 2002, 04:31 PM

.45 , with the 357 a close second.

Dr.Rob

December 30, 2002, 04:37 PM

Love the 45, but the 9mm is a lot cheaper to shoot... ah the economic realities of practicing a lot.

kalibear45

December 30, 2002, 04:56 PM

No .380?

triggertime

December 30, 2002, 05:06 PM

.45 auto for me, thanks. Once you shoot a variety of popular handgun calibers from inside an enclosed space (with hearing protection), you quickly realize why .45 auto is most popular. The report is more tolerable and less distracting than higher velocity handgun calibers.

In case you haven't already guessed, I don't buy the 'auditory exclusion' bit.

JeepDriver

December 30, 2002, 05:40 PM

9mm
Just for the price of ammo. I can afford to stockpile ammo, and still shoot on the weekends. Loaded with the correct ammo it is capable of stoping anything that you would consider shooting with a handgun.

Dave Markowitz

December 30, 2002, 05:59 PM

I voted for 9mm, because if I could have only one pistol it would be my BHP Practical.

Second choice would be .357 Magnum.

HS/LD

December 30, 2002, 06:25 PM

165 Grain .40S&W

Two to the chest... I think it might work.

Regards,
HS/LD

Jason Demond

December 30, 2002, 06:27 PM

.45ACP.

Vern Humphrey

December 30, 2002, 06:30 PM

The only handgun I've ever used "for real" is a Colt Model 357 -- during my first tour in Viet Nam. It worked -- neither person asked for his money back. ;)

Having said that, my carry gun is a Kimber Classic, the latest in a long line of M1911A1s and clones -- the M1911A1 in .45 ACP is just too reliable and effective to put aside for anything else. And with quality control of today's guns and the ammo we have nowadays, it's better than ever.

nascarnhlnra

December 30, 2002, 07:17 PM

Be close for me between .40 & .45 with the win to .40 for capacity.

Fiveshooter

December 30, 2002, 09:13 PM

Don't any of you folks shoot a .45 Colt? If you are a handloader and have a Ruger or stronger gun in this caliber it can be as or even more potent than a .44 Magnum. It can also be loaded to about the same power as a .45 Auto. I shoot at least twice as much .45 Colt as any other center fire cartridge. I did not see the .22LR mentioned either. Chances are good that most on this board have sent more .22LR down range than anything else.(I know I have.):)

Best Regards,
Billy

EOD Guy in VA

December 30, 2002, 09:35 PM

Another vote for the missing .357SIG

9x19

December 30, 2002, 10:47 PM

Isn't it obvious.... :D

thisaway

December 30, 2002, 11:35 PM

Hmmmm.....

...I just realised i have at least one weapon in every calibre listed in this poll! Sheesh! :rolleyes:

Sactown

December 30, 2002, 11:50 PM

.45. What?! No .22 on the list?

tbeb

December 31, 2002, 12:03 AM

5" barreled Springfield Armory .45 ACP loaded with Federal Hydra-Shoks. Even in the event the hollowpoint doesn't expand then I still have a 230 gr. bullet at 800+ fps. I believe this combo will work as well as any handgun caliber for self defense.

cratz2

December 31, 2002, 12:13 AM

Without a doubt - 45 ACP. I love my EAA Witness (40 S&W) and my Taurus PT99AF (9mm) has never failed me but if only one handgun in one caliber for all my purposes, 45 ACP thanks.

If I hunted, I'd probably look more closely at 41 Magnum, 44 Magnum or 45 Colt.

Lancel

December 31, 2002, 12:18 AM

For home or woods, for man or beast, it's 10 mm.:)

Brian Williams

December 31, 2002, 09:50 AM

I voted 357 cause I have a few and 45 Colt was not listed.

Sean Smith

December 31, 2002, 10:06 AM

10mm is my personal favorite, even though I don't even own one right now. :(

Otherwise .45 ACP.

sig970

December 31, 2002, 01:08 PM

.45:ar15:

clem

December 31, 2002, 10:20 PM

Many, many years and many, many fallen bad guys, prove that the .45 is the one.

C-Note

December 31, 2002, 10:26 PM

Huge 10mm fan.
I carry a G29 and have a G20 as my nightstand gun.
Current load is 175gr Winchester Silvertips but I'm interested in trying Texas Ammo's 200gr cannon shells. Anyone have a report on these?

sixgun_symphony

January 1, 2003, 02:49 AM

I wish you had .45 Colt on that list.

Archie

January 1, 2003, 03:49 AM

most anything above .357 Magnum.

But to whittle it down to one for all, the 44 Magnum will do anything and everything. (Except shoot 17 misses without reloading.)

That said, I carry a 45 ACP more than anything else. I thank God I have a choice.

New_comer

January 1, 2003, 07:26 AM

9mm for me :D

agtman

January 1, 2003, 08:35 AM

When there can be only one ...

... it's the 10mm Auto. :cool:

With it's mild-to-nuclear power range, it's the most versatile caliber extant in an autoloading envelope. The 10mm also enjoys the widest selection of handgun bullet-weights available in an autoloader, handling everything the .40S&W is loaded in (135gns-180gns), plus the heavier "brusier"-weight bullets in 200 and 220gns - and at speeds that would KABOOM! a .40.

T.A.'s owner has said he wants to offer shooters 10mm ammo "loaded to it's full potential." By that he means loading the cartridge to achieve a level of ballistic energy consistent with the original theory on which the 10mm was designed (600+ ft-lbs).

http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=82893

Personally, I prefer the "heavy & fast" end of the 10mm's power range (i.e., using 10mm bullets of 170gns and up), but because the cartridge offers the widest choice of loads and possible applications for which you'd use an autoloader in the first place, there's virtually no down-side to it.

More 10mm fans really ought try out Texas Ammo's offerings - at least a box or two. It's 10mm "loaded to its full potential," the way God, Jeff Cooper and Sonny Crocket wanted it. :D

Http://www.texas-ammo.com

TheActor

January 1, 2003, 05:09 PM

That's tough. I love .45 and .40 but I guess .45 would be my pick.

Jack19

January 1, 2003, 05:11 PM

C-Note, Texas Ammos 10mm rounds are FANTASTIC! Everything the 10mm should have been.

Ala Dan

January 1, 2003, 06:33 PM

as I voted for the .45 ACP.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

Slow

January 1, 2003, 10:39 PM

Voted for .357 but, I've been reading some interesting stuff regarding the ole .45 (.45 colt that is ... )might have to rethink my choice of revolver

Fatcat

January 2, 2003, 12:09 AM

.44 mag. Does everything the other calibers do, but harder and faster! :D

.45 Colt comes in second, .45 ACP third.

sonoranjack

January 2, 2003, 05:50 PM

9mm. It's all I can afford.

Mastrogiacomo

January 2, 2003, 06:12 PM

A 9 mm with hollow point bullets...:evil:

556A2

January 2, 2003, 11:49 PM

9mm with the .357 Magnum and .45 ACP as close runners up.

Knives

January 3, 2003, 01:53 AM

.45 ACP is my caliber of choice.

denfoote

January 3, 2003, 04:20 AM

In times past, I would have said 9mm. But, you know, that G29 is starting to grow on me. Especally now that I have a .40S&W barrel for it!! ;)

Kevlarman

January 3, 2003, 05:29 AM

Voted for .45. 9mm is cheaper to shoot; but then again, I'm not a cheap kind of guy. :D

Captain Bligh

January 3, 2003, 07:15 AM

I voted for .45 acp. If I had to start parting from guns, the 1911 would be my keeper.

There was a big shootout in my neighborhood last summer. It left a .45 hole through my aluminum garage door. Man, that is a big hole.

RJ

Onslaught

January 3, 2003, 10:42 AM

I was going to vote .40, but then I remembered my USP45, and I already tried the "a USP40 will make me just as happy" thing, and it failed miserably.

Glockorama

January 3, 2003, 11:22 AM

How can you have a poll like this and not include the 357sig? :confused:

Anyway I like all of the above, but if I had to choose, give me my S&W 1006 in 10mm.

eagles1181

January 4, 2003, 12:20 AM

.40 wins hands down. It is a great compromise between the "small and fast" and the big hole crowd. It has the knockdown of a 45 on the frame and capasity of a 9mm. Best of both worlds.

Eagle

kidcoltoutlaw

January 4, 2003, 07:51 PM

357 SIG

jrpeterman

January 4, 2003, 08:35 PM

I voted .357 magnum. Have experience with all the calibers except 41 mag. and 10mm. The .357 in my opinion is the best all round choice. It is an excellent choice if hunting up to medium size game and for stopping two legged predators too. The bullet and power selection is probably the most versatile of all the calibers mentioned.

XavierBreath

January 6, 2003, 01:19 AM

.40S&W

Brass

January 6, 2003, 02:47 AM

9mm +p+

Double tap to the chest and 1 rd to the head should do most of the time.
-Brass

Hand_Rifle_Guy

January 6, 2003, 09:55 AM

Couldn't vote twice. but have two answers.

Revolver, it's gotta be the big maggie, the .44.

In an auto, make mine 10mm, which is how I voted.

V-fib

January 7, 2003, 12:39 AM

.357 mag!:cool:

Rob96

January 7, 2003, 05:28 AM

I like 9mm and 45acp, but for the sheer versatility I picked 357 magnum.

wanderinwalker

January 7, 2003, 11:11 AM

However, 9mm is my personal favorite when it comes to handgun cartridges. Simply because I have more guns chambered in that cartridge.

Ditto. But if I can't have full cap auto magazines, well, my vote would be .44 Magnum. Yeah, Dirty Harry all the way!! :rolleyes:

ZekeLuvs1911

January 8, 2003, 09:59 AM

Most definitely the tried and true .45 ACP!

HeadCleaver

January 8, 2003, 11:11 AM

9 milli. "Universal Ammo"

s&w 24

January 8, 2003, 01:32 PM

I had to pick 44 mag cause 44 special was not on the list:(

ReadyontheRight

January 8, 2003, 03:44 PM

I prefer .45 acp, but if I HAD to choose only one, I'd go with .357 for a wider variety of applications.

If you enjoyed reading about "Which caliber do you favor?" here in TheHighRoad.org archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join TheHighRoad.org today for the full version!